Norfolk Island
Territory of Norfolk Island
non-self-governing overseas territory of AustraliaIndependence none (territory of Australia)
Norfolk Island as the 2018 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 78 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Introduction
1 fieldBackground
Two British attempts at establishing the island as a penal colony (1788-1814 and 1825-55) were ultimately abandoned. In 1856, the island was resettled by Pitcairn Islanders, descendants of the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian companions.
Geography
Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia
18 fieldsLand useshare of 36 sq km
Environment - current issues
- inadequate solid waste management;
- most freshwater obtained through rainwater catchment;
- preservation of unique ecosystem
Geography - note
most of the 32 km coastline consists of almost inaccessible cliffs, but the land slopes down to the sea in one small southern area on Sydney Bay, where the capital of Kingston is situated
People and Society
14 fieldsReligions(2016 est.)
Ethnic groups
Australian 22.8%, English 22.4%, Pitcairn 20%, Scottish 6%, Irish 5.2% (2011 est.)
note: respondents were able to identify up to two ancestries; percentages represent a proportion of all responses from people in Norfolk Island, including those who did not identify an ancestry; only top responses are shown
Languages
English (official) 44.9%, Norfolk (also known as Norfuk or Norf'k, which is a mixture of 18th century English and ancient Tahitian) 40.3%, Fijian 1.8%, other 6.8%, unspecified 6.2% (2016 est.) note: data represent language spoken at home
Government
Non-self-governing overseas territory of Australia; Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); Administrator Eric HUTCHINSON (since 1 April 2017)
21 fieldsNorfolk Island Regional Council, 5 seatsone dot, one seat
Composition: men 4, women 1, percent of women 20%
Country name
- conventional long form:
- Territory of Norfolk Island
- conventional short form:
- Norfolk Island
- etymology:
- named by British explorer Captain James COOK after Mary HOWARD, Duchess of Norfolk, in 1774
Dependency status
self-governing territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts, and Sport
Government type
- non-self-governing overseas territory of Australia;
- note - the Norfolk Island Regional Council, which began operations 1 July 2016, is responsible for planning and managing a variety of public services, including those funded by the Government of Australia
Capital
- name:
- Kingston
- geographic coordinates:
- 29 03 S, 167 58 E
- time difference:
- UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Constitution
- history:
- previous 1913, 1957; latest effective 7 August 1979 (2017)
- amendments:
- amended many times, last in 2015 (2017)
Judicial branch
- highest courts:
- Supreme Court of Norfolk Island (consists of the chief justice and several justices);
- note - appeals beyond the Supreme Court of Norfolk Island are heard by the Federal Court and the High Court of Australia
- judge selection and term of office:
- justices appointed by the governor general of Australia from among justices of the Federal Court of Australia;
- justices serve until mandatory retirement at age 70
- subordinate courts:
- Petty Court of Sessions; specialized courts, including a Coroner's Court and the Employment Tribunal
Executive branch
- chief of state:
- Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia General Sir Peter COSGROVE (since 28 March 2014)
- head of government:
- Administrator Eric HUTCHINSON (since 1 April 2017)
- cabinet:
- Executive Council consists of 4 Legislative Assembly members
- elections/appointments:
- the monarchy is hereditary;
- governor general appointed by the monarch;
- administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia for a 2-year term and represents the monarch and Australia
Legislative branch
- description:
- unicameral Norfolk Island Regional Council (5 seats; councillors directly elected by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms);
- mayor elected annually by the councillors
- elections:
- elections last held 28 May 2016 (next to be held in 2020)
- election results:
- seats by party - independent 5; composition - men 4, women 1, percent of women 20%
note: following an administrative restructuring of local government, the Legislative Assembly was dissolved on 18 June 2015 and replaced by an interim Norfolk Island Advisory Council effective 1 July 2015;
the Advisory Council consisted of 5 members appointed by the Norfolk Island administrator based on nominations from the community; following elections on 28 May 2016, the new Norfolk Island Regional Council commenced operations on 1 July 2016
Flag description
- three vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and green with a large green Norfolk Island pine tree centered in the slightly wider white band;
- green stands for the rich vegetation on the island, and the pine tree - endemic to the island - is a symbol of Norfolk Island
note: somewhat reminiscent of the flag of Canada with its use of only two colors and depiction of a prominent local floral symbol in the central white band; also resembles the green and white triband of Nigeria
National anthem
- name:
- Come Ye Blessed
- lyrics/music:
- New Testament/John Prindle SCOTT
note: the local anthem, whose lyrics consist of the words from Matthew 25:34-36, 40, is also known as "The Pitcairn Anthem;" the island does not recognize "Advance Australia Fair" (which other Australian territories use); instead "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)
Economy
Norfolk Island is suffering from a severe economic downturn.
14 fieldsBudget(FY99/00)
Economy - overview
Norfolk Island is suffering from a severe economic downturn. Tourism, the primary economic activity, is the main driver of economic growth. The agricultural sector has become self-sufficient in the production of beef, poultry, and eggs.
Agriculture - products
Norfolk Island pine seed, Kentia palm seed, cereals, vegetables, fruit; cattle, poultry
Exports - commodities
postage stamps, seeds of the Norfolk Island pine and Kentia palm, small quantities of avocados
Exchange rates
Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - 1.311 (2017 est.) · 1.3291 (2016 est.) · 1.3291 (2015) · 1.3291 (2014 est.) · 1.1094 (2013 est.)
Communications
4 fieldsTelephone system
- general assessment:
- adequate
- domestic:
- free local calls
- international:
- country code - 672;
- submarine cable links with Australia and New Zealand;
- satellite earth station - 1
Broadcast media
1 local radio station; broadcasts of several Australian radio and TV stations available via satellite (2009)
Transportation
4 fieldsAirports by runway lengthpaved only
Military and Security
1 fieldTransnational Issues
1 fieldCite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Norfolk Island.” The World Factbook 2018. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/norfolk-island/2018.